INDEPENDENT Cllr. Neil Johnson has launched a campaign to tackle what he calls an “anti-social behaviour hot spot” on Shaw Street, Culcheth.
Cllr.Johnson says that the Shaw Street Recreation Ground and nearby playing fields have become a magnet for incidents of anti-social behaviour, including graffiti, vandalism, drug dealing and use of alcohol.
Now, Cllr.Johnson is speaking out on behalf of residents in the Shaw Street and Warrington Road area who have been forced to put up with this behaviour for too long.
He saids: “Enough is enough. These disgraceful acts of anti-social behaviour have gone on for too long. We know that a small group of anti-social youths congregate in this area on Friday and Saturday nights, drinking, graffitiing the facilities, and even engaging in vandalism.
“There is no reason why the good people of Shaw Street and Warrington Road should have to put up with this.
“We know that the village litter-picking team, who I work closely with, have collected dozens of nitrous oxide canisters from around this site. A small, badly-behaved minority are making life difficult for everyone.
“I am disappointed that, when this issue has been raised in the past, certain Councillors have shrugged their shoulders and said that nothing can be done. That is not good enough and it’s not the right attitude to take.
“I want to convene the police, the Council and the users of the playing fields to discuss what can be done. There has been talk about closing the gates at night to stop people getting access. This has been challenged on health and safety grounds, but it must be possible to arrive at a solution. Anti-social behaviour is not acceptable and we should not make excuses against tackling it on ‘health and safety grounds’. I will be inviting the police, the Council and other services to a meeting in the near future to hold serious discussions about this problem and the effect it is having on the village. As the independent voice of the people, I want to convene all parties and iron this out.
“I also want to see a stronger police presence in the area.”
